PennSTART

Pennsylvania Safety Transportation and Research Track

pioneering safer roads

Experience the future at PennSTART, Pennsylvania’s leading hub for advancing transportation across key sectors such as Connected Vehicles, Traffic Management, and Autonomous Technologies, setting new standards in safety and efficiency for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Key Sectors

  • Traffic Incident Management
  • Automated & Connected Vehicles
  • Tolling, ITS and Traffic Signals
  • Work Zones
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Transit Vehicles
  • Autonomous Technologies

Inside PennSTART’s Innovation Hub

PennSTART will be a closed loop, state-of-the-art proving ground designed to accelerate innovation in emerging transportation technology, improve the safety and efficiency of transportation infrastructure, enhance traffic incident management training, and support regional economic development.

45 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technology

Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV), Electric Vehicle (EV), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) & Field Robotics

High-Speed Track, Signalized/Unsignalized Urban/Rural, VDA, Off Road and More

Multi-modal: Passenger, Transit & Commercial Vehicles, Rail, Vulnerable Road Users

Connectivity: Wireless 5G, Digital Twin, C2V, RTK GPS Correction

About PennSTART

PennSTART advances transportation safety, empowers first responders through specialized training, and drives regional economic growth by attracting advanced industries. Use our interactive map below to discover key features of our unique testing and training track.

PennSTART track map
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AASHTO Banking

To support AV development, turns are <10% superelevation. Class 8 vehicles limited to 45 mph in turns.

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Vehicle Dynamic Area (VDA)

12 acre, uniform mono-slope of 2%. Flexible space for drones, first responders, driver training, vehicle testing and staging.

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On/Off Ramps

HS Track can be run CW/CCW with traditional and clover leaf connecting ramps.

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Divided Freeway

4-lanes, divided by movable jersey barriers permits unique AV test capabilities and first responder training.

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Gantries

Recycled PTC Gantries, designed to be quickly adapted to any tolling or enforcement technology under test.

Discover PennSTART’s Vision, Story, and Regional Significance

Visit our About page to discover more about PennSTART’s mission, history, and impact.

Learn More

Accelerating Transport Insights at PennSTART

PennSTART is crafting the blueprint for transportation’s future with a meticulously planned facility that merges a high-speed test track and multiple specialized testing grounds within a single, innovative environment. Through stages that elevate existing infrastructures into a complex suited for comprehensive testing and training—featuring the latest in connectivity and support services—PennSTART stands at the forefront of promoting safer, more efficient transportation systems while stimulating regional economic advancements.

Training, Testing & Research

PennSTART marks a collaborative venture between the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) of Southwestern PA, Carnegie Mellon University, and Westmoreland County. This state-of-the-art facility is set to empower emergency responders, transportation technology companies, and research institutions, fueling economic growth and innovation.

Partners